The new CTA curriculum was written by experts and covers 15 critical areas of study that are designed to teach travel agents how to be the very best travel professional. The learning experience is in-depth, thought-provoking, and delivered in a variety of blended-learning formats.

The CTIE program is designed with the in-demand skills needed by today's leaders, focusing on goals that are aligned with their company and with having a team behind them that is honed in on achieving those goals, as well.

Richard Conklin, Personal World Travel, CTA, said having the certification makes his clients, “feel they can trust their hard-earned money and time to a professional that dedicated my own time and money in the best interest for them,” adding it gives his clients the confidence in knowing he has the skill set to meet their needs.

Complementing the certification scholarship offers in July are three interactive webinars, plus the weekly Hot Tip Tuesday and Friday Five blogs, all focused on how travel agents can effectively market their brand and professionalism.

Certification increases earning potential According to a recent study by The Travel Institute, agents with higher sales revenues have taken the time for and made an investment in advanced training. Agents certified with a CTA, CTC, or CTIE from The Travel Institute reported annual revenues of $554,880. Agents with The Travel Institute Destination & Niche Specialist designations reported annual revenues of $488,336; and CLIA certified agents (CCC, ACC, ECC, MCC) reported annual revenues of $446,512.

Meanwhile, agents with no certification or only specialist training reported annual sales of $215,114.

“Certification increases earning because it builds the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed for career-minded travel agents to take risks, improve marketing, revise business plans, and take action,” said Diane Petras, CTIE, president of The Travel Institute. “Our annual scholarship program is one of our most visible and far-reaching commitments to the vitality and future of our industry.”

That’s how you get to know your clients better, the nuances of their desires. Here’s a trick – story begets story. So, if what you want from them is a story, give them a story and they will give you a story back.